Weekend snow warning: Please stay at home, says North Yorkshire's highways team

Highways chiefs are appealing to people across North Yorkshire to avoid travelling as further snow threatens to exacerbate already treacherous travelling conditions.
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Snow has fallen across many parts of the county this week leading to blocked roads, hazardous stretches of highway, flooding, stuck vehicles and collisions due to slippery surfaces.

The Met Office has issued a warning which comes into force at midnight tonight and remains in place until 18:00 on saturday.

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It reads: “An area of rain pushing eastwards is expected to turn to snow in places. Snow is likely to fall to low levels over east Scotland and northern England for a time on the leading edge of the rain before the snow level rises to above 300-400 m by mid morning.

Gritters come to the rescue on Sutton BankGritters come to the rescue on Sutton Bank
Gritters come to the rescue on Sutton Bank

“1-3 cm is possible at low levels here but is more likely at higher elevations where 5-10 cm of snow may accumulate above 200 m and possibly 20 cm on highest routes.

“Icy stretches are also likely with rain and wet snow falling onto sub zero surfaces at times.

“Further south the most likely scenario is for rain though there is a small chance of snow falling down to 150 m or so leading to 2-5 cm in places.”

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Karl Battersby, North Yorkshire’s director for Business and Environmental Services which includes highways said: “Our gritting teams, snow ploughs, farmer contractors and highways officers have been working round the clock dealing with very challenging conditions.

Deep snow over BainbridgeDeep snow over Bainbridge
Deep snow over Bainbridge

People should not be travelling during the Covid-19 lockdown unless absolutely essential and now we are appealing to everybody not to go out and not to drive unless they have to due to the effects of wintry weather.

“The conditions on the roads are extremely challenging and we want to avoid accidents and people getting stuck at all costs, especially during a pandemic, as this puts travellers as well as highways staff and the emergency services at great risk.

“However, with less traffic on the road gritting becomes less effective, so those who have no choice but to venture forth must do so with great caution.”

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Roads Policing Group Inspector Dave Barf of North Yorkshire Police said: “Our message to drivers is very simple - you must not risk your own safety and the safety of over people by travelling unless your journey is absolutely essential.”

“People taking their daily exercise during the pandemic are also urged to take extra care while the winter weather is so severe.”

For live updates of road conditions on North Yorkshire’s roads visit: www.northyorks.gov.uk/road-cameras-and-weather-conditionsA Message from our Editor

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Yorkshire Weeklies